Edwards gives funds, name to med school

Joan C. Edwards stood behind the podium and said, "I pinched my arm until it was black and blue in May (to make sure this is not a dream) and now I am working on the other. It is a wonderful day."

Edwards was stating her feelings about the renaming of the Marshall University Medical School to Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

She looked up at floors lined with medical students, waved and mouthed the words "Thank you."

The ceremony, Friday in the MU Medical Center atrium, included Marshall President Dan Angel, US. District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers, MU campus minister Robert K. Bondurant, Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences W. Donald Weston and School of Medicine Dean Charles H. McKown.

U.S. Sen. John D. Rockefeller was the keynote speaker.

"When Jay was governor (of West Virginia), the medical school was small and community-based. He responded to all of our requests and served us well in our time of need," McKown said.

"Rockefeller is the top member of Congress on health matters. He is the ranking minority member of U.S. Veterans' Affairs Comm-ittee ­ they deal largely with health matters," McKown said.

When Rockefeller spoke, he promised to keep it short. He was there to introduce Edwards.

"Long-term healthcare may be the biggest problem this country faces," Rockefeller said.

"Now, let's turn to something good that is happening today. The way that Joan has helped Huntington is awesome. I am happy to be participating in what may be the most important thing in West Virginia ­ the renaming of Marshall University Medical School."

According to a news release, Edwards is contributing $2 million to the School of Medicine to begin the planning, design and development of a children's cancer pavilion. She has provided in her will for an additional $16 million to come to Marshall to construct and operate the center, which is to be built on the Cabell Huntington Hospital campus.

Edwards said everyone should leave a piece of themselves before they leave. "My piece I am leaving will be for children's cancer," she said.

"The name change, or adding to the name, will do a lot for the school," McKown said. "It has done a lot to develop prestige. Her generous offer deserves a name change."

The renaming of the school makes it the first medical school in the U.S. to be named for a woman.